The Newcomers classes were created in 2005-06 at Clinton Elementary and Hanover Countryside Elementary, School District U-46, Elgin, Illinois. The district serves portions of eleven communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. The district is approximately 45 minutes west of downtown Chicago.
The purpose of the Newcomers program was to provide opportunities for students new the U.S. school system. Each school had two classes, a third/fourth c grade combination and a fifth/sixth grade combination. We had students from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, among others.
In the four years of the Newcomer Program's existence, it provided a safe learning environment for students with little or no formal education. These classrooms gave students the opportunity to become aware of the U.S. school setting, routines and objectives. It allowed them the time they needed in a smaller and more nurturing classroom setting to develop skills to be successful when they entered a regular Transitional Bilingual Education classroom after one year.
The Newcomers Program fell victim to budget cuts after the 2009-2010 school year. On these pages you will find the elements of this program that made it unique, advanced, and integrated. May it serve as an example and a forerunner for future newcomers programs nationwide.
Further Reading*Fallacy: Newcomers to the United States are learning English more slowly now than in previous generations.*"To the contrary, today's immigrants appear to be acquiring English more rapidly than ever before. While the number of minority-language speakers is projected to grow well into the next cen-tury, the number of bilinguals fluent in both English and another language is growing even faster. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of immigrants who spoke non-English languages at home increased by 59%, while the portion of this population that spoke English very well rose by 93% (Waggoner, 1995). In 1990, only 3% of U.S. residents reported speaking English less than well or very well. Only eight tenths of one percent spoke no English at all. About three in four Hispanic immigrants, after 15 years in this country, speak English on a daily basis, while 70% of their children become dominant or monolingual in English (Veltman, 1988)." For more fallacies about Bilingual education, see "Ten Common Fallacies About Bilingual Education", James Crawford, 1998 http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/crawford01.html
THE NEWCOMER PROGRAM: HELPING IMMIGRANT STUDENTS SUCCEED IN U.S. SCHOOLS NCBE Program Information Guide Series, Number 8, Fall 1991 by Monica Friedlander http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/pigs/pig8.htm
This May, 2003 article in Education Week talks about increasing immigration to Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma. It talks about some of the legal parameters and challenges to serving English Language Learners. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/05/04/34overview.h24.html
How fluency relates to comprehension, "Reading Fluency as a Diagnostic and Pedagogical Index", a Power Point by Dr. Jack Damico, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Genesee, F. (Ed.). (1998). Program Alternatives for Linguistically Diverse Students. (Section on newcomer programs discusses the theoretical rationale, common and variable features, necessary resources and conditions, and more.)
**Nutrition for Newcomers** Author: Haynes, Judie Year: 2005 Abstract: This paper presents a thematic unit project to assist English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers who wish to use different activities to bolster their students English language skills. AN: BE022863
**Keys to Learning: Skills and Strategies for Newcomers.** Author: Chamot, Anna Uhl Keatley, Catharine W. Anstrom, Kristina Year: 2005 Abstract: This textbook is designed to help teenage students learn to listen, speak, read, and write in English. Each chapter has a story about a group of teenagers and the things that happen AN: BE022601
**Teaching Science to Newcomers** Author: Hademenos, George Heires, Nancy Young, Rose Year: 2004 Abstract: This paper describes how one high school with a large population of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students teaches these students science by having them work with an AN: BE022162
**Newcomers in American Schools: Meeting the Educational Needs of Immigrant Youth.** Author: McDonnell, Lorraine M. Hill, Paul T. Year: 1993 Abstract: This report assesses the federal and state roles in immigrant education, describes how school districts are responding, and offers suggestions for improving immigrant education. Data AN: BE019333
**Title VII Newcomers Program in AISD, 1990-91. Executive Summary.** Author: Rumbaut, Marilyn Year: 1991 Abstract: Students who are newcomers to the United States-that is, those who have been here for one year or less-have special needs that are addressed in the Title VII Newcomers Program. These AN: BE018552
The Newcomers classes were created in 2005-06 at Clinton Elementary and Hanover Countryside Elementary, School District U-46, Elgin, Illinois. The district serves portions of eleven communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties. The district is approximately 45 minutes west of downtown Chicago.
The purpose of the Newcomers program was to provide opportunities for students new the U.S. school system. Each school had two classes, a third/fourth c grade combination and a fifth/sixth grade combination. We had students from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, among others.
In the four years of the Newcomer Program's existence, it provided a safe learning environment for students with little or no formal education. These classrooms gave students the opportunity to become aware of the U.S. school setting, routines and objectives. It allowed them the time they needed in a smaller and more nurturing classroom setting to develop skills to be successful when they entered a regular Transitional Bilingual Education classroom after one year.
The Newcomers Program fell victim to budget cuts after the 2009-2010 school year. On these pages you will find the elements of this program that made it unique, advanced, and integrated. May it serve as an example and a forerunner for future newcomers programs nationwide.
Other Key Documents Regarding our Program
A Slide Show on the "Oral-Literate Continuum" by Jeff Miller with ideas taken from Carol Westby, Sandra Fradd and Dawn McCusker
Other Newcomers Programs Around the World
Ontario, Canada
Calcary, Canada Centre for Newcomers
New Jersey
Further Reading*Fallacy: Newcomers to the United States are learning English more slowly now than in previous generations.*"To the contrary, today's immigrants appear to be acquiring English more rapidly than ever before. While the number of minority-language speakers is projected to grow well into the next cen-tury, the number of bilinguals fluent in both English and another language is growing even faster. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of immigrants who spoke non-English languages at home increased by 59%, while the portion of this population that spoke English very well rose by 93% (Waggoner, 1995). In 1990, only 3% of U.S. residents reported speaking English less than well or very well. Only eight tenths of one percent spoke no English at all. About three in four Hispanic immigrants, after 15 years in this country, speak English on a daily basis, while 70% of their children become dominant or monolingual in English (Veltman, 1988)."
For more fallacies about Bilingual education, see "Ten Common Fallacies About Bilingual Education", James Crawford, 1998 http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/crawford01.html
Starting Points
Department of Education's Definition of Newcomers & Links
Welcoming and orienting newcomers to the United States http://www.brycs.org/brycs_spotspring2008.pdf
First National Conference for Educators of Newcomer Students and Pilot Study on Newcomer Program Literacy and Assessment Practices http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/resabout/programs/newcomerOELA03.pdf
THE NEWCOMER PROGRAM: HELPING IMMIGRANT STUDENTS SUCCEED IN U.S. SCHOOLS NCBE Program Information Guide Series, Number 8, Fall 1991 by Monica Friedlander http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/pigs/pig8.htm
Establishing an Effective Newcomers Program (CAL Digest, 2003) http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0312short.html
Immigration Issues & Cultural Integration
Information & Resources to settle in Ontario, Canada
Newcomers in the Community: How to Use Environmental Print & Field Trips
Ideas Schools Can Adapt to Welcome Newcomers
Help Newcomers Develop Pride in Their Heritage
John Kibler, Illinois Resource Center, provided the following powerpoints on immigration:
Immigration Stories
Newcomers Centers and the U.S. Law
This May, 2003 article in Education Week talks about increasing immigration to Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma. It talks about some of the legal parameters and challenges to serving English Language Learners.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/05/04/34overview.h24.html
Newcomers and Technology
Reports and research on using technology to support English language learning
http://iteslj.org/Articles/Ybarra-Technology.html
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te900.htm
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te9resources.htm
Literacy, Technology and Diversity: Teaching for Success un Changing Times by Jim Cummins, Kristin Brown and Dennis Sayers
http://www.allynbaconmerrill.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=020538935X
Interventions
What to do first http://www.readingrockets.org/article/28236
How fluency relates to comprehension, "Reading Fluency as a Diagnostic and Pedagogical Index", a Power Point by Dr. Jack Damico, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Multiliteracies project http://www.multiliteracies.ca/
Webcasts on Teaching and Learning in Multilingual Ontario http://www.curriculum.org/secretariat/archive.shtml
What Works-PDF files including Jim Cummins' Literacy Development in multilingual Schools http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/whatWorks.html
Many Roots, Many Voices: A practical guide for Ontario educators http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/manyroots/
Research on strategies for Newcomers (middle and high school):by Ana Chamot
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/download/shiningstar/chamot_research_acad_skills.pdf
Also by Ana Chamot, How to Teach Learning Strategies to ELLs : http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/download/shiningstar/Chamot.pdf
Boyson, B. A., & Short, D. J. (2003). Secondary school newcomer programs in the United States (Research Report No. 12). Santa Cruz, CA and Washington, DC: Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence.
Short, Deborah (1998) Secondary Newcomers programs: Helping Recent Immigrants Prepare for School Success http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/short001.html
Short, D., & Boyson, B. (2004). Creating access: Language and academic programs for secondary school newcomers. Washington, DC and McHenry, IL: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems, Inc.
Genesee, F. (Ed.). (1998). Program Alternatives for Linguistically Diverse Students. (Section on newcomer programs discusses the theoretical rationale, common and variable features, necessary resources and conditions, and more.)
Ideas Generated at TESOL 2004 workshop, //Teaching Students with Interrupted Formal Education//, by participants, for working with newcomer students
**A Speech Community Model of Bilingual Education: Educating Latino Newcomers in the USA.**
Author: Garcia, Ofelia; Bartlett, Lesley
Year: 2007
Abstract: This article describes what might seem to be an anachronistic educational model: a segregated bilingual high school for Latino newcomers to the United States. Drawing on a qualitative
AN: BE023695
**Research Based Recommendations for Serving Adolescent Newcomers. Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners.**
Author: Francis, David J. Rivera, Mabel Lesaux, Nonie Kieffer, Michael Rivera, Hector
Year: 2006
Abstract: This document provides evidence based recommendations for policymakers, administrators, and teachers in middle and high schools who seek to make informed decisions about serving adolescent
AN: BE023590
**Nutrition for Newcomers**
Author: Haynes, Judie
Year: 2005
Abstract: This paper presents a thematic unit project to assist English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers who wish to use different activities to bolster their students English language skills.
AN: BE022863
**Keys to Learning: Skills and Strategies for Newcomers.**
Author: Chamot, Anna Uhl Keatley, Catharine W. Anstrom, Kristina
Year: 2005
Abstract: This textbook is designed to help teenage students learn to listen, speak, read, and write in English. Each chapter has a story about a group of teenagers and the things that happen
AN: BE022601
**Teaching Science to Newcomers**
Author: Hademenos, George Heires, Nancy Young, Rose
Year: 2004
Abstract: This paper describes how one high school with a large population of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students teaches these students science by having them work with an
AN: BE022162
**Newcomers in American Schools: Meeting the Educational Needs of Immigrant Youth.**
Author: McDonnell, Lorraine M. Hill, Paul T.
Year: 1993
Abstract: This report assesses the federal and state roles in immigrant education, describes how school districts are responding, and offers suggestions for improving immigrant education. Data
AN: BE019333
**Title VII Newcomers Program in AISD, 1990-91. Executive Summary.**
Author: Rumbaut, Marilyn
Year: 1991
Abstract: Students who are newcomers to the United States-that is, those who have been here for one year or less-have special needs that are addressed in the Title VII Newcomers Program. These
AN: BE018552
**Bilingual Education and Academic/Career Outreach for Newcomers: Project Beacon, 1988-89.**
Author: Berney, Tomi Deutsch Gritzer, Glenn
Year: 1990
Abstract: The Bilingual Education Academic/Career Outreach for Newcomers Program (Project Beacon) completed its fourth year. The goals of the project were to facilitate the acquisition of English
AN: BE018139
**Bilingual Education and Academic/Career Outreach for Newcomers: Project Beacon, 1989-90. Final Evaluation Report.**
Author:
Year: 1990
Abstract: The Bilingual Education Academic/Career Outreach for Newcomers Program (Project Beacon) completed its fifth and final year of funding. The project offered 1,087 Chinese-, Spanish-, and
AN: BE018138